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Celebrating the Life of Milly Nakabugo Kikuba, the ‘face of Boston’, Mukwano Gwa Bangi

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in Issue 5

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The deceased Milly Nakabugo Kikuba, the ‘face of Boston’ and Mukwano Gwa Bangi.

By EADM Correspondent

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

 

In Summary: Thousands of people across Massachusetts, USA celebrated the life of Milly Nakabugo Kikuba as one that had touched and transformed countless souls. She was described as a loving and generous individual, a mother, humorous sister, wife, a socialite, an elegant dresser with an eye and unique flair  for fashion, the face and “Queen of Boston”, but, above all,  mukwano gwa’ bangi

 

The casket of the body of the deceased Milly Nakabugo Kikuba, the ‘face of Boston’ and Mukwano Gwa Bangi after the Church service.  

Boston, Massachusetts--Thousands of Ugandans in Boston, Massachusetts last Saturday celebrated the life of Milly Nakabugo Kikuba, a longtime resident of the area, whose words and deeds had touched and transformed countless souls, according to mourners who spoke to EADM in Boston. Ms. Milly Nakabugo Kikuba succumbed to a blood clot in the lungs on Thursday March 3, 2016.  Viewing of the body was held at Brasco funeral Home while the vigil took place at the French club, all in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.

The funeral service to celebrate the life and bid farewell to the deceased, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Belmont on Saturday March 12, 2016, was presided over by Rev. Dr. Alex Kasirye. Rev. Dr. Alex Kasirye called on the congregation to emulate the character of the departed Milly Nakabugo whose acts of kindness and selflessness endeared her to many people from all occupations. “This huge turn-up of people from all walks of life who are scrambling to come and pay their last respects to their friend clearly demonstrate the affection people had for Milly Nakabugo and what her life meant to them,” Dr. Kasirye said. 

Milly Nakabugo migrated to the USA in September 1992 and a cross-section of her acquaintances credit her for helping newly arrived Ugandan immigrants with finding jobs, housing, medical care and legalizing their immigration statuses. “Milly did all this regardless of which part of Uganda people came from and which religion they professed,” one of her friends told EADM at the funeral service. Filled to capacity, St. Peter’s Anglican Church had to turn away hundreds of mourners due to lack of space.  Meanwhile, in the over-filled church parking lot, tempers flared and a scuffle nearly ensued when some mourners verbally threatened to lynch the caretaker when he redirected motorists not to park in wrong spots. The police had to be called in to calm the situation before it got out of control. Because of the huge crowd, the service was expedited to give opportunity to all those who wanted to celebrate the life of Milly Nakabugo Kikuba to attend the viewing of the body at a larger venue.

The casket of the deceased being led out of St. Peter’s Church on Saturday.

However, even the more spacious American Legion in Newton where the final vigil was held turned out to be too small to accommodate the huge crowd of celebrants. The organizers had no choice but to turn away some of the mourners. Eulogizing the deceased, friends described her as a loving and generous individual, a mother, humorous sister, wife, a socialite, an elegant dresser with an eye and unique flair  for fashion, the “Queen of Boston”, but, above all,  mukwano gwa’ bangi. Many speakers reminisced about the good old days in the 1990s when they frequented Boston night clubs dancing break dance stroke, then in vogue, which she had mastered well enough to even out-match Michael Jackson!. One speaker described her as the “face of Boston, our Nabagereka (Queen)” due to her immense popularity within the Ugandan community. Other friends described her as fun loving, friendly, and always ready and willing to help all those who needed help. Some acquaintances eulogized her as an adviser, role model, and entertainer who welcomed everybody regardless of age, tribe, religion, and how long she had known the person.

The late Milly Nakabugo Kikuba was an ardent member of UNAA who attended most of the annual UNAA conventions. It is no wonder some mourners came from as far as California to celebrate the life of a friend they socialized with during several UNAA conventions around the USA. The late Milly Nakabugo Kikuba was a founder member of the “Tuli mu Kintu” partnership, a business venture initiated by a group of Ugandans in the Boston area specializing in event planning, decoration, and catering services.

The deceased was also involved in charitable work during her vacation time in Uganda including visits to Mulago Hospital to donate essential supplies to patients whenever she went to Uganda for vacation in December of each year. Friends also said that she supported an orphanage in Gayaza whose name was not readily ascertained. The body of the late Milly Nakabugo Kikuba will be laid to rest on Tuesday March 22, 2016 at Bukeeka Luwero district. The burial ceremony will be relayed live for the Diaspora community at:

www.livestream.com

Several friends of Milly Nakabugo Kikuba have already traveled to Uganda for her burial. She survived by a widower, Jackson Kikuba and four children.

The UNAA President Monday Atigo sent a message of condolence.

Messages of condolence have thus far come from the UNAA President Monday Atigo, Gwanga Mugye of Boston, the Catholic community of Boston, Radio Uganda Boston, Club Rendez Vous where she was a committed reveler, and others. From the EADM editorial team, we say, “RIP Milly Nakabugo Kikuba, our friend, sister, and mukwano gwa’ bangi.